Sample Finishers Medal

WNY Waterfalls 1,300k/1,200km/1,000km Brevet
With 400k and 600k options

Sep 11-15, 2024



Niagara Falls Control


A "busy" road on loop 2


Taughannock Falls Control.     Look for the people near the base of the falls. (Click on photos to enlarge)


As of June 17, 2024 a 1,300k option has been added.
Those willing to ride an extra 100k, will be rewarded with 18 hours more time to finish than the 1,200k (108 hours versus 90 hours)


Photos and videos from the July 2021 running of this event can be found at:

  • https://photos.app.goo.gl/trYSu6YzvSdWoLKu6
  • https://photos.app.goo.gl/ovVv5yJ8rrzzpQNi9
Joe Todd's photos
Videos on the RandoPete YouTube channel.
Website: DistanceRider
For Reference: Gowaterfalling.com



The route is arranged as a cloverleaf with Webster/Ontario, NY at the center, and is a brief tour of Western NY state and its Finger Lakes region.
The route is designed to pass the suggested motels in Webster, NY at the start and at approximately 240 miles, 441 miles and 600 miles (0, 385km, 710km and 965km). These are all in the town of Webster, NY, which will be an open control to allow personal support at any of the motels.

You can expect minor route changes between now and the start to compensate for road construction, etc.

Time limits

400k : 27 hours
600k : 40 hours
1,000k : 75 hours
1,200k : 90 hours
1,300k : 108 hours

The route

Loop 1: 385km - Webster to Niagara Falls and back. A very mild 400k, with Niagara Falls at the center. Although the terrain is pretty mild you should allow extra time for Niagara Falls. The final several miles are on residential roads and good quality paved bike trail along the Niagara River, which will be a bit slower than a country road. Also, the immediate area around the Niagara Falls control will likely have many tourists and other congestion. Lastly, who could just rush past Niagara Falls without at least a few minutes stop?

Loop 2: 325km - An exploration of the Finger Lakes region of New York. Exploring several more waterfalls, Taughanock Falls, Hector Falls, Watkins Glen, Shequaga Falls and the Finger Lakes between them. This route also passes through Amish country, and you may be passed by a horse and buggy. This is a more challenging route and has several long climbs.

Loop 3: 290km - This loop goes east as close as possible to the lake Ontario shore to Oswego, NY, then turns inland to return to motel row. Continuing the waterfall theme, it passes Wolcott Falls. Although this section has a fair amount of climb, it is mostly mild rollers with no steep "knee busters".

Loop 4: 200km - A very mild 200km ride mostly on quiet side roads. This route picks up Phelps Falls and visits the Women's Rights national historical park in Seneca Falls, NY. This is a very mild route that I often ride during the winter when I can barely get a leg over the top tube.

Loop 5: 100km - 1,300k option only. This is a very mild populair route that I often ride during the winter when I can barely get a leg over the top tube.

Although we think of these as "loops" they are all part of one 1,200k route, and must be ridden in order, with one overall time limit. You do not need to finish a loop before you take your overnight break. The route is designed so you can stay in the same bed in the same motel every night. Just stop and take your sleep break when the route passes your motel. The next morning, complete the loop abd start the next.

Ride With GPS Links

The 1,300k route, as five segments. Please note, except for the first segment, the segments start from the Ontario control. Where you start your day, is up to you!

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/40453989   
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/36746655
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/36746660
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/37358587 
The 100k Loop 5 is currently TBD
 

The 1,300k route route is pending approval.

The 1,200k route, as four segments. Please note, except for the first segment, the segments start from the Ontario control. Where you start your day, is up to you!

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/40453989   
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/36746655
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/36746660
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/37358587   

The 1,200k route has been approved as brevet 2783.

The 1,000k version is segments 1-3 of the 1,200k
As three segments. Please note, except for the first segment, the segments start from the Ontario control. Where you start your day, is up to you!
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/40453989   
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/36746655
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/36746660

The 1,200k route has been approved as brevet 2785.

The combined 1,000k/1,200k cue sheet is available at: http://www.distancerider.net/cues/1200LR_1_R0.9.pdf

400k and 600k brevets

The 400k brevet is Loop 1: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/40453989

The 600k brevet is loop 1 followed by a slightly changed loop 4 to make the total distance 600k as two segments. Please note, except for the first segment, the segments start from the Ontario control. Where you start your day, is up to you!

Bag drop

As the route is a cloverleaf passing the motels periodically, there will be no bag drop.

There is light support planned. There will be at least one vehicle on the road. We'll be carrying common repair parts, tools snacks, water, etc. Parts will be available at cost. As our goal is to have as many finishers as possible, the support vehicle will be concentrating on those at the rear of the group.

Riders are expected to make their own arrangements for overnight lodging, meals, etc.

As we expect many riders will be leaving their motels during hours when all restaurants are closed, except for the start, we will have a quick breakfast available at the Ontario control. This control will be approximately 9 miles after the Webster control on all loops, except the start.

NOTE: If you are interested in riding this brevet, please contact the RBA!

Please put "WNY Waterfall 1,000/1,200k" someplace in the message subject so it will stand out.

If you don't hear back from me within a few days, please hit me again! Like most of us, I do have a day job, and occasionally get buried in e-mail.

If you're ready to register

If you are ready to register for this event, please go to: https://www.distancerider.net/RiderInfo/WNYWaterFallRiderInfo-2024.html and fill out the form. I'll review your information, verify your RUSA membership and get back to you. If you don't hear back from me within a few days, please contact me at: pdusel@sprintmail.com!

Concurrent events

There will also be 400k, 600k and 1,000k options. These are all ACP sanctioned brevets. Roughly, the 400k is Loop1, the 600k is loop 1 and 4. The 1,000k is the the first 1,000k of the 1,200k route. This is designed to be the first three leaves of the "cloverleaf". The 1,200k is loops 1,2,3 and 4. For those willing ride an extra 100km, and receive an extra 18 hours of time allowance, the last 100k loop is added.

All brevets will start from the same place, in the vicinity of "Hotel Row" at the same time.

Please note that this is an an early morning start.

The current planning is for a 4AM start. This may change +/- 1 hour.

Although this start time will put you at Niagara Falls when it is very busy with tourists, it is chosen to maximize sleeping during the night hours.

1,200k/1,300k Qualification

LOL ancien, or organizer's discretion based on rider's experience.

Requirements are minimal. Mostly we want to check that you're likely to complete the first 400k loop on your own.

The RUSA results database will be checked when you submit a registration. If there are any questions after reviewing that, you'll receive an e-mail asking for more information. Otherwise, you'll receive an e-mail with congratulations on acceptance, and directions for paying the deposit.

Contact the RBA with any questions about qualification, or alternatives.

Ride fee

The ride fee will be estimated expenses divided among the riders. This will be fixed several weeks before the ride, and will be due at check in.

Current estimate, subject to change is about $125 - $150.

The ride fee for the shorter distances will be pro-rated.

A $50 non-refundable deposit will be required when your application has been approved.

What the fee includes:

  • Daily light breakfast
  • T-Shirt
  • Light support
  • Finish picnic
  • Finisher's medal
  • A good time had by all on an interesting route

Rider Cap

There will be a rider cap. Exact cap will depend on volunteer availability, but we will make it as large as possible.

Previous editions have not been capped, we hope to continue the practice.

RUSA membership

Due to liability insurance requirements, current RUSA membership is required to participate.

Suggested Motels:

These three are located within a block of each other, the start, fast food, restaurants, etc:

  • Fairfield Inn, 915 Hard Rd, Webster, NY 14580
  • Holiday Inn Express, 860 Holt Rd, Webster, NY 14580
  • Hampton Inn Rochester-Webster, 878 Hard Rd, Webster, NY 14580

Not far by car, but a bit of a bike ride off route on a busy road I prefer not to ride on during the day:

  • Super 8, 2450 Empire Blvd, Webster, NY 14580
  • Relax Inn, Empire Blvd, Webster, NY 14580
      Recent reports are that the Relax is in need of renovation, and some is in progress

I'm told to avoid the Budget Inn in Ontario, and a couple other places near the Super 8 may be pitching a bit to low for comfort.

These brevets are run in the Western/Central New York RUSA region by Finger Lakes Randonneurs. Please contact the RBA for more information.



Finger Lakes information


For those unfamiliar with the Finger lakes, here are a few YouTube videos, and other links, about the area, and some of the places we'll be riding through.
This is in no particular order.
General Finger Lakes:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALqdJJ_sHE0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_wo5URmGL0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fSfuch4U1AI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=drhweXGtiAE&t=203s

>Seneca Falls, Loop 4 of the 1,200/1,300k or Loop2 of the 600k
Women's Rights National Park, on route in Seneca Falls:
https://www.nps.gov/wori/index.htm

"It's a Wonderful Life", supposdly set in Seneca Falls:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rckepc_-BI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6OQOIvPCns

Eternal flame falls, a bit off route:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HzPWz7yTYwY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4mYkg33DtQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-UH8g5X6Jw

Watkins Glen State Park, on route, but we don't stop in:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeRke-pVm_0
longer video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTydr-zKqgA

Taughanock Falls, control on loop 2:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4vhoXcDY4A

Letchworth State Park, off route this year, but on some of my regular brevets:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PXQq33G3QiM

Corning Museum of Glass. Part glass art museum, part glass working demonstration, with hands on classes available
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCMrSiXXEYQ
ps://www.museumofglass.org/visit?gad_source=2&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIqNbXxKHvhgMVnkhHAR2FJgS9EAEYASABEgLgPPD_BwE

Artist in residence short video, note the bleachers, visitors are welcome to sit and watch and chat with the artist:
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/o6nAvh4UTmI



Last Change:
Minor changes, July 12, 2024